Princess Cut Engagement Rings

The princess cut is the sharpest-looking way to buy carat weight. Because it's cut from the rough diamond with far less waste than a round brilliant, a princess of the same weight typically costs 20–30% less — and because the weight sits in a square outline rather than a circle, it reads large on the finger for the money.

Our princess collection runs from $1,995 to around $7,750, with designs by Barkev's, Kirk Kara and Simon G alongside our own. Channel-set and halo styles dominate, because both do something practical: they protect the corners.

That's the one thing to understand about this shape. The four pointed corners are the most vulnerable part of any princess-cut diamond, and a setting that leaves them exposed will eventually chip one. V-prongs or a halo shield them completely. If you work with your hands, ask us to show you the difference in person — it takes thirty seconds and it's the single most useful thing we can tell you about this cut.

Princess cuts also hide color better than emerald or asscher cuts, so you can often drop a color grade and spend the difference on size or setting. We'll walk you through that trade-off honestly, in the store, with the stones in front of you.

Buy now, pay later.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are princess cut engagement rings such a popular choice?

Princess cut is the crisp, geometric alternative to a round, and it holds a loyal following for two solid reasons. It delivers real brilliance, because underneath that square outline is a brilliant style facet pattern rather than the mirror facets of an emerald cut, and it costs less per carat than a round of comparable quality because far less of the rough crystal is wasted in cutting. The clean lines suit people who find rounds and ovals too soft. It also sits beautifully in channel and bar set bands. If you want sparkle with straight edges, this is the shape.

What is the deeper meaning and symbolism of a princess ring?

Four equal sides and four corners, which couples often read as balance, structure, and a partnership built on something square and solid. The name itself carries a note of being treasured, and plenty of people choose it for exactly that reason without needing anything more elaborate. The shape is modern, developed in the 1960s and 70s, so there is no inherited tradition dictating what it must mean. Most of our customers pick a princess because they like clean geometry and want the ring to look decisive rather than romantic. That is a meaning too.

Are princess cut diamonds cheaper than round diamond rings?

Yes, consistently, and this is one of the better value propositions in diamonds. A princess is cut from the natural octahedral shape of rough crystal with very little waste, whereas cutting a round brilliant discards a substantial portion of the stone. Round is also the most in demand shape in the world, which supports a premium of its own. Between the two factors, a princess of equal carat weight and quality costs noticeably less. Loose diamond prices move daily, so we will not commit to a percentage. Compare both live in our ring builder, and the gap will be plain.

Do princess cut engagement rings chip easily during daily wear?

The corners are the honest weak point. A princess cut has four sharp ninety degree points, and they are the thinnest, most exposed part of the stone, so a hard knock at the wrong angle can chip one. This is entirely solvable with the setting. Any well-built princess setting protects each corner, either with V-prongs that cup the point in metal or with a bezel, double prongs, or channel that covers the edges completely. Take extreme caution when buying a princess set with plain prongs sitting away from the corners. With proper protection, an annual prong check, and taking the ring off for the gym, this diamond wears fine.

How do you pick the right length to width ratio for a square ring?

For a true square princess, you want a ratio between 1.00 and 1.05, which reads as "properly square" to the eye. Anything above about 1.08 starts looking subtly rectangular, and it tends to look like a mistake rather than a design choice, so most people avoid that middle ground. If you actually want a rectangular stone with sparkle, a radiant cut does it far more gracefully. The other measurement worth asking about is depth, since princess cuts are often cut deep, which hides carat weight below the surface and makes the stone look smaller than its weight.

What is the best way to clean a princess diamond ring at home?

Soak the ring twenty minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, then brush the underside with a soft toothbrush. Pay attention to the four corners, since the V-prongs or bezel edges protecting them are exactly the places lotion and soap collect and are awkward to reach. The underside of the stone matters most, because that is where light enters and where film kills the sparkle. Rinse with the drain closed and dry with a lint free cloth. Skip bleach, chlorine, and acetone. Twice a year bring it in, and we will ultrasonic it and inspect those corner prongs closely.

Can I customize a princess cut setting with a unique band?

Yes, and the square outline gives you options a round does not. Channel set bands, where small square or round diamonds run flush inside the metal, suit a princess particularly well and are what we build most often. Split shanks and pave shoulders both work. A halo following the square outline makes the stone read significantly larger, and a hidden halo underneath adds light without softening the geometry. Metal is your choice in fourteen and eighteen karat white, yellow, and rose gold, or platinum. Most settings are made to order, so bring us a photo and our jewelers will tell you what is achievable.

How do you avoid a dark center in a square diamond?

A dark or muddy center in a princess cut usually means the stone is cut too deep, so light entering the top leaks out of the bottom instead of returning to your eye. Princess cuts are frequently cut deep on purpose because they retain carat weight, and the stone weighs more on paper. It also looks smaller and duller. There is no standardized cut grade for princess cuts the way there is for rounds, so pay attention and look for an excellent or very good symmetry grade on the certificate. Also, look at the actual stone in mixed light and move it around and see if the scintillation “speaks to you.”